Kyle Jones
Moderator
I'm still in. My goal is easier wide field and I'm confident there.
Benro Polaris
- Thread starter Kyle Jones
- Start date
Yeah, I am sure you will be good with it.
So you ended up buying 1? I don't recall.
I passed on it since they weren't coming up with the right answers for the Astro. I decided the main reason I would want it is for Deep Space Astro, I would go for a mount that is specifically designed for Astro, then I don't have to worry. So I am going to buy one of the new iOptron tracking mounts. Not sure, but I think the Gem 28 is the one I want.
Graeme F
Well-Known Member
Haha I did indeed. I figured on one hand established company, a product that I think would be great and convenient and I would actually use! On the downside, it's a risk. Unproven tech and all that.
In the end I looked at their existing products and it looked like they were essentially adding motors to previously manual adjustments. I also never really understood why no auto polar alignment which I put down to industry inertia. So I'm taking a punt on it. I just don't believe their July shipping date and just wish more (ANY) updates!
In the end I looked at their existing products and it looked like they were essentially adding motors to previously manual adjustments. I also never really understood why no auto polar alignment which I put down to industry inertia. So I'm taking a punt on it. I just don't believe their July shipping date and just wish more (ANY) updates!
I think it will be a ball head. I would have bought it except that I have 1 specific need, so I could only buy 1 mount. Either the Benro or a totally dedicated Astro mount. So I went with the totally dedicated. But I have no doubt that the Benro will be a cool ball head as it does many interesting things. I don't think you will lose out, it ended up just being a financial decision for me in the end.
Graeme F
Well-Known Member
I emailed Benro a few weeks ago asking what was the story with the updates and when will next see any new meaningful communication and demonstrations etc. Anyway got this email back this morning:
Thanks for reaching out to us and give us your sincere advice！
We will soon post the Polaris progress to you all, please feel free to let me know your concerns, we will do the best to ease your concern.
Thanks for reaching out to us and give us your sincere advice！
We will soon post the Polaris progress to you all, please feel free to let me know your concerns, we will do the best to ease your concern.
Has anyone gotten their Benro Polaris? And if so, how is it working?
@Graeme F @Kyle Jones @Mike Lewis
@Graeme F @Kyle Jones @Mike Lewis
Kyle Jones
Moderator
Not shipping yet. Promising "soon". I've done enough Kickstarters to know not to count on them to hit schedules.
That makes sense for sure. Maybe in time for Christmas!
Mike Lewis
Staff Member
yes, still waiting. I am not too concerned yet, it seems like they are continuing to make design improvements and ironing out bugs in the software/firmware.
ML
ML
Yep, I would rather wait for a finished product then get impatient for a product that was full of bugs and didn't work right.
Kyle Jones
Moderator
Arrived today. The included instructions are... Underwhelming.
At least I have something to play with!
At least I have something to play with!
It looks nice. Looking forward to your impressions after you get to play with it.
Kyle Jones
Moderator
Ok. The manual is in the app. Found a good YouTube video for setup too. Now I need some clear dark skies
Looking forward to your fist post with this rig. I see you have the 24-105 mounted, is that what you will use for deep sky?
Awesome Kyle! It's great that it arrived!
Is there anything in the documention or app that says what the limit for focal length is? Can you mount a 150-600mm on it and shoot it at 600mm?
It's new moon! So hopefully you get some clear skies in the next week to test it out.
Is there anything in the documention or app that says what the limit for focal length is? Can you mount a 150-600mm on it and shoot it at 600mm?
It's new moon! So hopefully you get some clear skies in the next week to test it out.
Kyle Jones
Moderator
It was just the lens I happened to have handy. As always, lens choice will depend on the subject. My preference is still to shoot astro landscapes with tracking so I'll likely spend most of my time with my various astro lenses.
Who knows though, the ability to "go-to" deep space objects is pretty cool.
I'll try my 150-600 when I get back to Montana in March. We'll see. It is pretty sturdy but there's no counter weight.
